Punjab News

Chandigarh, March 2: The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is deeply committed to increase the area under the forest cover in the State so as to ensure a cleaner and greener environment. With a view to achieve the abovesaid objective, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department under the guidance of Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, is undertaking great efforts. Under the Punjab State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (PUNCAMPA) scheme, the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for the year 2025-26 has been submitted to National Authority, New Delhi for final approval after its approval by the Steering Committee of State Authority. The afforestation on 2100 hectares is proposed to be carried out during the year 2025-26. During...

Chandigarh, March 2:           Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government has taken important steps for the welfare of workers in the state. Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that under the stipend scheme of the Punjab Labour Welfare Board, benefits ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 70,000 can be availed for the education of laborers’ children. Along with this, the condition of two years of service of the worker to avail the stipend scheme has been abolished.           It is worth mentioning that the Punjab Labour Welfare Board stipend scheme is given for the education of the children of workers. Earlier, mandated two-year service condition for workers...

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, March 1: Reiterating the commitment of the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to clean 'Buddha Dariya', Local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal reviewed the project to rejuvenate 'Buddha Dariya' on Saturday. Conducting a meeting with the officials at 225 mld Jamalpur STP on Tajpur road, local bodies minister Dr Ravjot Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal issued strict directions to take action against those dumping untreated waste or cow dung in the Buddha Dariya or sewer lines. MLA Madan Lal Bagga, Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, Deputy Mayor Prince Johar, DC Jitendra Jorwal, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal among other officials of PPCB, soil conservation, irrigation department etc were prese...

Chandigarh, March 1: Going onslaught against the illegal mining, Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Anandpur Sahib, S. Harjot Singh Bains, on Saturday, has issued a slew of directives including the immediate sealing of unregistered crushers and the installation of CCTV cameras at all registered sites, critical routes and hotspots within 15 days across the Rupnagar district. S. Harjot Singh Bains directed the district authorities to seal all unregistered crushers immediately and there should not be any generator at the unauthorised sites. He also asked to ensure installation of high-resolution night vision closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras with 360-degree view at registered crushers, besides installing CCTV cameras on all critical routes and pathways, which could be used fo...

CHANDIGARH/SAS NAGAR, March 1:           In a major action by the SAS Nagar Police and Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) amidst the ongoing fight against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Gangster Malkiat alias Maxi sustained bullet injury on his left leg while unsuccessfully attempting to escape from the police custody near Ghagar bridge on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in Dera Bassi, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.           Gangster Maxi, a native of village Rodala in Rajasansi Amritsar, is an operative of foreign-based terrorist Goldy Brar and Gangster Goldy Dhillon and was operating an extortion racke...

Chandigarh, March 1 Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Saturday said that the decisive war against drug trafficking, initiated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, will yield positive results and eradicate the drug menace from the state. In a press communique issued here, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the state government has given a clear and stern warning to those involved in drug trafficking, that they must either leave the state or put a complete stop to their illicit activities. He said that this warning comes as part of the Punjab government's intensified efforts to combat the drug menace to ensure a safe and healthy environment for its citizens. The Minister further added that the Punjab government's zero-t...

Patiala/ Chandigarh, February 28: Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill today expressed concern over the increasing number of live-in relationship cases, calling them a worrying trend for society. Addressing a Lok Adalat at the Patiala Police Lines, she stated that not only young men and women but also some married individuals are engaging in such relationships, which are weakening the social fabric. She emphasized the need to curb this issue and announced that she would recommend legal amendments to the state government on the matter. During the Lok Adalat, Chairperson Mrs. Gill heard around 35 cases and directed police officials to reinvestigate several complaints. She also took up new cases, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair hearing and t...

Chandigarh, February 28: Punjab’s remarkable progress in strengthening agricultural infrastructure has been appreciated by the Central Government. Recognizing the state’s exemplary performance under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has revised Punjab’s financing facility from ₹4,713 crore to ₹7,050 crore. Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat expressed gratitude for the Centre’s recognition, stating, “The increased allocation is a testament to Punjab’s commitment to empowering farmers.” He added that the enhanced funds would further accelerate the state’s efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure, including the development of cold storage facilities, warehousing, processing units, and value-addition initiatives...

Chandigarh, February 27, 2025 –  In its ongoing drive against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), on Thursday arrested Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Ranjit Singh, posted at police station Anaj Mandi, Patiala, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000. Disclosing the details, a VB spokesperson stated that a police case was registered against the complainant at the aforementioned Police Station and ASI Ranjit Singh, the investigating officer, had demanded Rs 15,000 in exchange for helping him in the said case. After verifying the facts, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was caught red-handed in the presence of government witnesses while accepting the bribe of Rs 15000 from complainant. The tainted money was recovered from his possession on the...